It must be hugely disappointing for McPhillips and it raises questions about the man-management of this touring party.
Can't see the logic in dropping Wilson for Miller. No disrespect to him, but what is there left to learn about Miller? We should be giving the likely internationals of the future as much experience as we can.
Japan v Ireland 2nd Test
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browner
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From the Irish Examiner......................
McCall wants stand-up defence once more
18/06/2005 - 2:10:20 PM
Defensive coach Mark McCall has called on Ireland to take tomorrow’s second Test with Japan by the scruff of the neck.
With rearguard regular Mike Ford away on Lions duty, Ulster coach McCall has stepped into the Far East breach just as forwards maestro Niall O’Donovan has done in the head coach role.
McCall, who made the last of 13 appearances in an Ireland shirt against South Africa in 1998, was satisfied with how the Irish kept their hosts tryless in their 44-12 first Test win in Osaka, despite allowing Japan to dictate for long periods.
The former Ireland Under-21 coach expects O’Donovan’s charges to step it up another gear in defence and attack tomorrow in Tokyo.
“I think we had far too much defending to do in the first Test. That was the consequence of the number of mistakes we made during the game, and certainly, this time around, we’d like to be doing less defending and cutting down on those errors,†said the 37-year-old.
“I think we coped pretty well with most things that they threw at us. At the same time we would like to see the boys attacking much more in this game.
“We set ourselves a goal before arriving in Japan of not conceding a try on tour, and it’s been so far so good. In saying that, we would definitely like to do much better with ball in hand.
“The boys know they need to be more clinical – tries will come if they can take their opportunities by building through the phases and using the advantages they have over the Japanese. But not conceding any tries still remains one of our big objectives.â€
One man who has been impressed will McCall’s first coaching involvement with the Irish squad is hooker Frankie Sheahan.
The Munster front-rower, who earns his 24th cap at the Prince Chichibu Memorial ground, said: “Mark has done a great job since he has come in. He is very clear in what he wants and has done a lot of research in to what way the Japanese attack.
“It paid off last Sunday, and judging by what he has achieved to date, let’s hope the same applies here in Tokyo.
“Personally, I was pleased with how the lineout went last week. We had done a lot of research on the Japanese set-piece and managed to pinch a number of their throws as well as dominating our own ball.
“For Leo (Cullen) and Matt (McCullough), who hadn’t played before as a second row partnership, it was an encouraging display.â€
Japan captain Takuro Miuchi, a driving force at the base of the Cherry Blossoms’ scrum, is expecting a proud performance from his side.
“We proved last week that we can, at least, compete with the Irish and controlled the game for long periods. It would be a dream to beat a top side like Ireland, who are not unbeatable, especially away from home.â€
Japan have made five changes to their side for tomorrow’s Test – up front, loosehead prop Shigeyasu Takagi and hooker Masakazu Nakabayashi are bumped up from the bench, while Australian-born lock Jamie Washington has been replaced by Hajime Kiso.
Japan’s most-capped player Keiji Hirose comes in at fly-half, with Hirotoki Onozawa deputising on the left wing.
McCall wants stand-up defence once more
18/06/2005 - 2:10:20 PM
Defensive coach Mark McCall has called on Ireland to take tomorrow’s second Test with Japan by the scruff of the neck.
With rearguard regular Mike Ford away on Lions duty, Ulster coach McCall has stepped into the Far East breach just as forwards maestro Niall O’Donovan has done in the head coach role.
McCall, who made the last of 13 appearances in an Ireland shirt against South Africa in 1998, was satisfied with how the Irish kept their hosts tryless in their 44-12 first Test win in Osaka, despite allowing Japan to dictate for long periods.
The former Ireland Under-21 coach expects O’Donovan’s charges to step it up another gear in defence and attack tomorrow in Tokyo.
“I think we had far too much defending to do in the first Test. That was the consequence of the number of mistakes we made during the game, and certainly, this time around, we’d like to be doing less defending and cutting down on those errors,†said the 37-year-old.
“I think we coped pretty well with most things that they threw at us. At the same time we would like to see the boys attacking much more in this game.
“We set ourselves a goal before arriving in Japan of not conceding a try on tour, and it’s been so far so good. In saying that, we would definitely like to do much better with ball in hand.
“The boys know they need to be more clinical – tries will come if they can take their opportunities by building through the phases and using the advantages they have over the Japanese. But not conceding any tries still remains one of our big objectives.â€
One man who has been impressed will McCall’s first coaching involvement with the Irish squad is hooker Frankie Sheahan.
The Munster front-rower, who earns his 24th cap at the Prince Chichibu Memorial ground, said: “Mark has done a great job since he has come in. He is very clear in what he wants and has done a lot of research in to what way the Japanese attack.
“It paid off last Sunday, and judging by what he has achieved to date, let’s hope the same applies here in Tokyo.
“Personally, I was pleased with how the lineout went last week. We had done a lot of research on the Japanese set-piece and managed to pinch a number of their throws as well as dominating our own ball.
“For Leo (Cullen) and Matt (McCullough), who hadn’t played before as a second row partnership, it was an encouraging display.â€
Japan captain Takuro Miuchi, a driving force at the base of the Cherry Blossoms’ scrum, is expecting a proud performance from his side.
“We proved last week that we can, at least, compete with the Irish and controlled the game for long periods. It would be a dream to beat a top side like Ireland, who are not unbeatable, especially away from home.â€
Japan have made five changes to their side for tomorrow’s Test – up front, loosehead prop Shigeyasu Takagi and hooker Masakazu Nakabayashi are bumped up from the bench, while Australian-born lock Jamie Washington has been replaced by Hajime Kiso.
Japan’s most-capped player Keiji Hirose comes in at fly-half, with Hirotoki Onozawa deputising on the left wing.
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browner
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Ireland continue fine form against Japan
19/06/2005 - 10:02:16 AM
Japan 18 Ireland 47
Ireland made it two wins from two matches against Japan with a convincing triumph in Tokyo.
Ulster fly-half David Humphreys, skippering the side on this Far East trip, led by example with 20 points while Frankie Sheahan and Gavin Duffy each scored two tries.
Defensive coach Mark McCall had demanded an attacking approach from Ireland and the tourists burst into life in the Japanese capital as Humphreys crossed for the first try and converted it himself inside the first five minutes.
A converted Sheahan try put them 14-0 up after eight minutes before the Cherry Blossoms cut the lead to six as Daisuke Ohata touched down and Japan’s most-capped player Keiji Hirose added the extras.
Humphreys was quickest out of the blocks in the second period as he notched his second try, and again the 33-year-old nailed the conversion to take the lead back to 11 points.
Harlequins outside centre Duffy breached the home defence a minute later and after Hirose was successful with a penalty, another converted try from Leinster full-back Girvan Dempsey extended the lead to 31-13.
Duffy claimed his second touchdown in the 57th minute and Humphreys completed his points haul with the conversion.
Ohata crossed for a second time but Ireland had the last word on the trip when Munster hooker Sheahan secured his own try double after 65 minutes.
Replacements used: Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster) for Miller (4-11 mins, 22-ft), Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Munster) for Cullen (51), Reggie Corrigan (Greystones/Leinster) for Horan (65), Kieran Lewis (St Mary's College/Leinster) for Horgan, Kieran Campbell (Dungannon/Ulster) for Stringer (both 69), Bernard Jackman (Clontarf/Connacht) for Sheahan, Jeremy Staunton (London Wasps) for Humphreys (both 76).
Sin-bin: Shigeyasu Takagi (42 mins)
HT: Japan 10 Ireland 14
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
19/06/2005 - 10:02:16 AM
Japan 18 Ireland 47
Ireland made it two wins from two matches against Japan with a convincing triumph in Tokyo.
Ulster fly-half David Humphreys, skippering the side on this Far East trip, led by example with 20 points while Frankie Sheahan and Gavin Duffy each scored two tries.
Defensive coach Mark McCall had demanded an attacking approach from Ireland and the tourists burst into life in the Japanese capital as Humphreys crossed for the first try and converted it himself inside the first five minutes.
A converted Sheahan try put them 14-0 up after eight minutes before the Cherry Blossoms cut the lead to six as Daisuke Ohata touched down and Japan’s most-capped player Keiji Hirose added the extras.
Humphreys was quickest out of the blocks in the second period as he notched his second try, and again the 33-year-old nailed the conversion to take the lead back to 11 points.
Harlequins outside centre Duffy breached the home defence a minute later and after Hirose was successful with a penalty, another converted try from Leinster full-back Girvan Dempsey extended the lead to 31-13.
Duffy claimed his second touchdown in the 57th minute and Humphreys completed his points haul with the conversion.
Ohata crossed for a second time but Ireland had the last word on the trip when Munster hooker Sheahan secured his own try double after 65 minutes.
Replacements used: Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster) for Miller (4-11 mins, 22-ft), Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Munster) for Cullen (51), Reggie Corrigan (Greystones/Leinster) for Horan (65), Kieran Lewis (St Mary's College/Leinster) for Horgan, Kieran Campbell (Dungannon/Ulster) for Stringer (both 69), Bernard Jackman (Clontarf/Connacht) for Sheahan, Jeremy Staunton (London Wasps) for Humphreys (both 76).
Sin-bin: Shigeyasu Takagi (42 mins)
HT: Japan 10 Ireland 14
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
As you say cjp, Stringer was terrible, slow and bad passing did not look like he wanted to even be there for most of the game 
Matt did himself proud once again, Tommy had some good breaks and defended well, Humphs gave a masterclass in place kicking and was good rom hand as well, Simon worked hard up front and Kieran put in a good show in the short time he was on.
Kieran Fitzgerald had praise for Leamey,Duffy, Matt and Kieran and commented that he was disappointed not to have seen more of Kieran as we need someone for scrumhalf
Matt did himself proud once again, Tommy had some good breaks and defended well, Humphs gave a masterclass in place kicking and was good rom hand as well, Simon worked hard up front and Kieran put in a good show in the short time he was on.
Kieran Fitzgerald had praise for Leamey,Duffy, Matt and Kieran and commented that he was disappointed not to have seen more of Kieran as we need someone for scrumhalf
Based on the BBC highlights, that seemed like a better performance than last week. Handling seemed to be safer and the ball moved better along the line.
From what I saw I would have said it was harsh to describe Stringer as terrible even though his passing wasn't exactly laser-guided. Having said that, would of course have preferred to see KC get a start or at least a full half. In the conditions it might have made sense to bring some of the subs on sooner.
Given the heat and humidity I thought it was a reasonable margin of victory, would have looked even better without the disallowing of what appeared a perfectly good try by Wallace.
Looking forward to reminding my colleagues tomorrow that DH is once more the leading Irish points scorer.
':lol:'
From what I saw I would have said it was harsh to describe Stringer as terrible even though his passing wasn't exactly laser-guided. Having said that, would of course have preferred to see KC get a start or at least a full half. In the conditions it might have made sense to bring some of the subs on sooner.
Given the heat and humidity I thought it was a reasonable margin of victory, would have looked even better without the disallowing of what appeared a perfectly good try by Wallace.
Looking forward to reminding my colleagues tomorrow that DH is once more the leading Irish points scorer.
':lol:'
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Freddie Benson
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As Stanley McDowell commented on the highlights programme it was a "high crime" that Campbell was not given more than 10 minutes in either game.
Ok EO'S wants to persist with Stringer as his SH. We mightn't all agree with that but take it as a given. But the whole back-up policy is nonsensical. Easterby is not and has not been up to it. But no other alternative got a 'crack' - not Doak c. RWC when he was playing well, not O'Meara who he obviously thinks isn't good enough. So what about giving Campbell or Murphy (who some Monstermen rave about) a proper chance to some what they are capable of? Realistically how much game time are they going to get during the Autumn internationals and therefore the 6N? And thus another year goes round.
Duffy impressed but should have been tried at FB. Dempsey is solid, always has been, but is never going to set the world alight. A back three with some wheels and skill is what is required at the top echelons of the game now - Murphy, Bowe, Hickie, Duffy.
Ok EO'S wants to persist with Stringer as his SH. We mightn't all agree with that but take it as a given. But the whole back-up policy is nonsensical. Easterby is not and has not been up to it. But no other alternative got a 'crack' - not Doak c. RWC when he was playing well, not O'Meara who he obviously thinks isn't good enough. So what about giving Campbell or Murphy (who some Monstermen rave about) a proper chance to some what they are capable of? Realistically how much game time are they going to get during the Autumn internationals and therefore the 6N? And thus another year goes round.
Duffy impressed but should have been tried at FB. Dempsey is solid, always has been, but is never going to set the world alight. A back three with some wheels and skill is what is required at the top echelons of the game now - Murphy, Bowe, Hickie, Duffy.
No longer the Celtic League winning coach